Mariza Hardin and Erik Cardenas founded Zócalo Health to revolutionize healthcare for the Latino community in the US. Tackling a persistent need for better primary care access, they’ve combined personal experiences, technology, and a commitment to community, trust, and cultural traditions to create a personalized healthcare solution. Join us as we learn their strategies to secure $5 Million USD from investors to bring their vision to life, even despite the venture capital world’s limited diversity.
Meet our guests:
Mariza is currently the Co-Founder and Head of Strategy and Operations at Zócalo Health, a family medicine service devoted to increasing wellness across the Latino community. Mariza has over 15 years of healthcare experience with a focus on leveraging innovation and policy for the most vulnerable populations. Prior to founding Zócalo Health, she spent 5 years at Amazon working as a founder member of the AWS Health and Human Service Business vertical and Amazon Care. Mariza attended the University of New Mexico where she received an undergraduate degree in Sociology & Political Science and she received her Master’s Degree in Public Health (MPH) from George Washington University. She currently lives with her family in Seattle, WA.
Erik Cárdenas:
I’m the youngest of three children, born to immigrant parents that moved to the United States from Mexico in the early 1970s. I grew up in Houston, TX where I was fortunate to watch my parents work hard for what they have. I started my career in healthcare after I was kicked out of Texas A&M University my freshman year. With my wife (high school sweetheart) at my side, I was able to build my career in healthcare moving us around the country in the process. We currently live in Seattle, WA with our three kids. I obtained my undergrad in 2020 when I graduated from the University of the Incarnate Word (San Antonio, TX) with a bachelor of science in business administration. I was full time student in 2019 and 2020 all while building Amazon Care, Amazon’s broader COVID-19 response and while being a dad and husband during a once a century pandemic.
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